Ending Lease Early advise

cjrob

Hi all,

I moved in with my partner in December and rented a place on a 6 month rental period, the lease is in my name only.

we split up a week ago and she moved out, I am now left with picking up the full rent for the remaining 2 months. To add to the issue I also own a flat that I rented out, I have now found out the tennant is moving out at the end of this month.

financially I cannot afford to keep two places for two months, I have advised the letting agent that I would like to end the lease early, they have said I am liable until they find another tennant.

totally stressed out as the next months rent is due on Monday and I am not sure how I can afford it, also desperately trying not to think about the breakup too much.

any advice?

niceguyed

Yes you're liable. Any chance you can move into the flat you own? Have you got savings, overdraft credit card to tie you over? Are you working to fill the flat you own to lessen the void period?

If you don't pay up for the place you are in then yes you are in arrears but you won't immediately be kicked out, the landlord still has to serve you notice correctly.

G_M

cjrob wrote: »

....rented a place on a 6 month rental period, the lease is in my name only.

.... I also own a flat that I rented out, I have now found out the tennant is moving out at the end of this month.

financially I cannot afford to keep two places for two months,
any advice?

1) you took this contract on initially on your own. Nothing has change.
2) your own rental business is unrelated. As a landlord you must realise that tenants move out, and that there are costs with running a letting business. You should have a contingency fund for this.
3) two months is really not long - Your contingency fund should cover this.

OK: the legals:
You signed a 6 month tenancy so you have a legally binding contract to pay rent for 6 months. If you do not, you can be taken to court for rent arrears and made to pay what you owe, plus court costs.

The alternative is an 'Early Surrender' of the tenancy. This can only be done with the agreement of the landlord. He (or his agent if he delagates the decision) does not have to agree, and can impose whatever conditions he chooses.

Usually where LLs agree to Early Surrender they expect the tenant to pick up their unexpected costs like marketing the property/agents fees, getting the property ready for the new tenant, and rent till the new tenant moves in.

cjrob mentions 'getting kicked out' but this is not the issue. Indeed it sounds like that is what you want! The issue is being taken to court for rent if you don't pay it.